[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/chuckle/)

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# chuckle

verb (chuckle, chuckles, chuckled, chuckling); noun (a chuckle, chuckles)

«chuckle» in the English dictionary: everyday — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. To laugh quietly, often with your mouth closed, because something is amusing. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/chuckle/#m1)
2. A soft, quiet laugh. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/chuckle/#m2)

### In the lessons

In stories it tells the reader a character is gently amused, not roaring with laughter; it often fits a kind grandparent or a sly villain. In writing lessons, it is one of many laughing verbs: giggle, chuckle, chortle, snigger, cackle, guffaw. Phrase: «have a chuckle».

### Examples

- Grandpa chuckled at his own joke. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/chuckle/#x1)
- She gave a little chuckle as she read the comic. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/chuckle/#x2)
- The audience chuckled at the funny line. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/chuckle/#x3)
- «Very clever,» he chuckled. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/chuckle/#x4)
- We had a good chuckle about the muddy football match. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/chuckle/#x5)
- The sly fox chuckled to himself. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/chuckle/#x6)
- “Hah!” said Kaa with a chuckle, “he has friends everywhere, this manling. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/chuckle/#x7)

### Note

Regular verb: chuckled, chuckling (drop the e). Countable noun: a chuckle. Laughing words from soft to loud: chuckle, giggle, laugh, guffaw, roar. A «snigger» is an unkind laugh.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «chuckle» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/chuckle/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«chuckle» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/chuckle.html) on Mova free.